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How precious are Your thoughts to me, O LORD ... how vast is the sum of them!

Tuesday, November 24, 2015

Book Release: Grace Triumphant

I’ve been anticipating the release of Alicia A. Willis’s newest novel, Grace Triumphant, ever since I heard she was going to write it. I was privileged to be a beta reader for it, and now that release day is here, I can heartily recommend this wonderful book!

Profligate London,
1788. Slave ships haunt the seas, bearing human cargos to further the
wealth of the rich and destroy the souls of the slave traffickers. Russell
Lawrence is an avid skeptic. Captain of the slave ship Barbados,
wealthy, and a respected leader, he views religion as a crutch for the
weak. But when the debauchery of the slave trade begins to destroy his
good morals, his battle becomes more than fighting pirates and
mutineers. What if there really is a God?Impressed as a cabin
boy, Jack Dunbar sees his forced service on the Barbados as a God-given
opportunity to witness Christ to the crew. But his efforts to influence
the hardened slavers seems to be doing little good. How is it possible
to live as a Christian on the sin-ravaged seas? Can his light shine
bright in Africa's dark interior?Back in Grosvenor Square,
Elizabeth Grey battles opposition from society and her self-seeking
fiancé. Her work with John Newton to end the slave trade is being
harshly attacked. She faces life branded as a jilter and radical if she
stands up for what she believes in. Will she ever glean the strength to
call sin by its rightful name?A tale of adventure on the high
seas, redemption, and faith. Sin abounds. Is grace enough to conquer
doubt and triumph over evil?

My review:This
is one powerful book. It totally immersed me in the lives of Russell,
the young slave ship captain who denies God; Jack, the Christian cabin
boy abducted from a life on the London streets and impressed into
service; and Elizabeth, the young Christian abolitionist who must marry a
heartless man of the world. Scenes alternate between their points of
view. I pondered and learned and worried along with them. Their fates
kept me guessing to the very end! How God shone in their lives is
something you have to read for yourself. All the other characters
seemed like real people, too—Isaac, Roger, Cedrick, William, Walter,
Anne…each one was well developed. And it’s thrilling whenever the real
real people, John Newton and William Wilberforce, make appearances! The
history behind this pivotal point early in the battle for abolition of
the British slave trade is fascinating. Miss Willis was just right to
choose this time. As I write this review and think back, I’m amazed
at the intricacy and ingenuity of the plot—everything that happened, how
it all tied together, how so many scenes left me hanging and wanting to
know what would happen next. The only scenes that occasionally seemed
static were Elizabeth’s, but I think that’s because her life was quieter
and thus it seemed to take her longer to learn what God was teaching
her. But everything, everything, that occurred was interesting and involved me fully with the characters. Ms.
Willis certainly accomplishes her goal of showing how we can live as
Christians and shine our light in a dark place, even if nothing seems to
come of it. Grace Triumphant was very, very sobering for me.
It was so realistic, and set in a familiar setting to me, both because
the era and its struggles resembles our own, and because I’ve read so
much about 18th century Britain. I admit I felt sobered almost to the
point of depression, thinking of how much suffering there is and was in
this world, and how few seek God. It’s a reality check and a clarion
call to shine our light. Read this book, but be prepared for a serious
look at your faith. I am so thankful for yet another of Ms. Willis’s
God-honoring and life-changing historical novels.

Learn more about Alicia A. Willis and her books by visiting her blog. And...enter a giveaway for an e-book copy of Grace Triumphant! To place entries, comment and tell me how many of the following you did or answer the questions I posed (you only need to comment once). I will add up your entries and do a drawing Tuesday, December 1.

I've been following Alicia on her blog and Facebook for awhile - have always enjoyed what she has to share. :)

My answers: I've always loved early British Isles history, as well as American history.

The most powerful thing I've learned from history is God is the Redeemer of history. No matter how terrible or hopeless a period of history seems to be, God always works in it to bring good and glory to His name.

I added the book on Goodreads, I've already followed Alicia on Goodreads for a while, I liked the Facebook page, I followed Alicia's blog, and shared of the giveaway on Pinterest!

Answers: I've always been partial to late 1800's/pioneer era/headin' west/cowboys and Indians kind of themes. :)

I think the most powerful thing we can learn from history is God's unchangeableness, and His unending grace and forgiveness. There have been many, many before us that have gone through these struggles also, and made it through, which means we can, too, through His strength!

Don't have a Goodreads account unfortunately. I would add the book and follow her if I did! :) I've followed Alicia's blog for a long time and shared the giveaway on Google+.

My favorite history time period is probably the 1700's and the old west cowboy/ranching time. The pony express era is also a favorite of mine! :)

The most powerful thing we can learn from history is that God always has a plan for the lives of His people. Whatever happened in history, God worked it all out according to His will! Plus, from history we can learn about God Himself, as it is HIS-STORY!!! :)

About Me

I am a disciple of Yeshua (Jesus) the Messiah of Israel, and I strive to make His teachings the rule of my life. I love to write, mainly novels, and I am working to use that to glorify my Lord. I love to study the Bible, Israel, classic literature, history, classical music, martial arts, and lots of other subjects. There are so many things to do and learn!